DKN EzRun Treadmill

Product Information

We knew this was a serious treadmill as soon as we took delivery of our test unit. The box weighs nearly 100kg! So, naturally, we figured that we’d be spending the next couple of hours assembling it and this was the first pleasant surprise: the machine is 95% pre-built in the box. Assembly just involves cutting the 4 corners of the box to flatten it out, lifting the uprights into place and securing with a few bolts and then twisting the console into place and securing it. Our one criticism of the assembly process was that tightening the bolts to secure the console to the uprights as access is a little on the tight side. But – what a refreshing change to assemble a treadmill without needing to mess around with cables and electronics and worrying about doing it wrong – just a few bolts and that’s it. With an impressive 43 preset workouts (manual mode, 36 pre-set programmes, 3 user-defined, 3 target and body fat mode), the GT40z offers an extensive range of training options. The manual mode allows for an immediate start and straightforward running while the scalable preset workouts can be adjusted for increased difficulty, accommodating your fitness levels as your fitness improves. These workouts are well-designed and cater to various objectives such as weight loss and cardiovascular conditioning. In addition to the extensive range of onboard workouts, the GT40z also comes with a Bluetooth module that enables the connection of a tablet or smartphone. This provides interactive training options via a number of 3rd party apps and services such as KinoMap and Zwift, which really opens up a lot of training options that many runners will really appreciate. Horizon Fitness is one of the most venerable of cardio fitness brands out there. A pioneering brand, dedicated to helping individuals of all fitness levels move towards a healthier and more active lifestyle. With a reputation for innovation and an unwavering commitment to producing high-quality products, Horizon Fitness has earned a trusted reputation within the fitness industry. Their product range encompasses an array of top-tier cardio machines that are designed to elevate workout experiences and enable users to reach their fitness goals. Whether you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast or a novice just starting out, their product catalogue has something for you so we took a look at the Horizon Omega Z model to see what one of their mid-range models looks like up close. Here’s what we found…

To make sure these runners can stand up to tough workouts, the team brought the market leaders into their lab for a thorough assessment. Each one was tested by people of varying body shapes, fitness levels and running experience. The 2.5 motor is quiet and even at top speeds seems well within its limits. The motor is covered for life under the warranty so you get an idea how confident Horizon are of its reliability.Other features include a workout cooling fan which isn’t all that powerful but does work reasonably well once you’ve worked up a bit of a sweat, a dual water bottle holder (the value of which shouldn’t be understated) and speakers with a 3.5mm input for plugging in your music player. The console is huge! We felt like Captain Kirk when faced with this space-aged control panel and blue screens, although it’s probably a lot easier to use than the one in the SS Enterprise :0) We liked the one-touch buttons to change speed and incline. This is a useful feature and far easier to alter settings when running fast rather than having to scroll down through the speeds. Automatic incline on the EzRun is a big plus. This makes running more varied and gives you a great cardio workout. The DKN EzRun has up to 12% incline. This is automatic, so you will not need to stop to reset the incline – you control it via the console. This does mean you’ll have programs where you have this mid-session. Perfect if you are using the app to run on a course which has varied terrain. DKN machines are well built and we doubt that much can, or indeed will, go wrong with them. The models that we have reviewed all come with a 2 years warranty covering parts and labour. Boasting a max speed of 20kmph (that’s a 4:40min per mile pace) and a respectable 15% incline, it’s suitable for couch-to-5kers and speedsters alike. There are tonnes of pre-set workouts to choose from, or if you prefer interactive coaching, there’s a device holder and built-in speakers for streaming sessions. Alternatively, you could just binge Netflix while you get your sweat on...

Reebok has opted to fit a sizeable 2.0 horsepower motor that can take the belt up to a maximum speed of 18kph (11mph) which is an upgrade on the original Jet 100 (which maxed out at 10mph) and that should be enough for most users unless you happen to be an already a seasoned runner that likes to compete. Otherwise, this is plenty enough speed to make normal humans break a sweat and the motor makes pretty light work of anything that’s asked of it, even when set to the maximum incline level. The motor is as quiet in operation as there’s a right to expect and it really doesn’t seem to strain at all which is an encouraging sign in terms of longevity. Known for premium quality machines, DKN treadmills rarely disappoint. So, when we heard about a new model being launched, we were naturally quite excited and couldn’t wait to get our hands it. Other features include a Bluetooth Smart heart rate wireless receiver (worked flawlessly during our test), dual water bottle holders, tablet holder, and last but definitely not least, levelling feet that enable you to get the treadmill set up dead flat – which makes a difference! With a top speed of 20kp/h (12.4mp/h) and a real 0-12% incline, you can push yourself and burn more calories while walking, jogging, or running.The 1.75 HP continuous duty motor, with 3.5 HP peak, may sound a little underwhelming. Many other models, notably from JTX, have considerably more power. However, it’s still OK as a mid-rate output and can match even the JTX Sprint 7 for speed, tapping out only when it gets to 20 KPH (which should be more than enough for even the fastest runners).